Improvement in spike-extractors



ATENT FFIE.

WILLIAMS. ROUGH, OF JOHN STOWN, PENNSYLVANIA.

IMPROVEMENT IN SPIKE-EXTRACTORS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 117,420, dated J nly 25, 1871.

To all whom it 'may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM S. HOUGH, of Johnstown, in the county of Cambria and State ofPennSyIVania, have invented a new and valuable Improvement in Spike-Extractors; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description ofthe construction and operation ofthe same, reference being had to the annexed drawing making a part of this specilcation, and to the letters and iigures of reference lnarked thereon.

Figure l of the drawing is a front view of my invention. Fig. 2 is avertical section of the same. Fig. 3 is a cross-section. Fig. 4 is aI perspective view of one ofthe clamps hereinafter described.

This invention has relation to an implement for extracting spikes and for similar purposes, and is an improvement on my patent of February 14, 1871. Said improvement consists in constructing the lower end of the vertical bar, by which the spikes are drawn out, of separate sections, which may be removed and replaced, so that, in the event ofthe breaking of one section or part the substitution of a new one to take its place may be easily and quickly effected, thereby saving expense and time. This invention also consists in so forming the end of said vertical bar, in connection with the clamping-sections above referred to, that the same may be adapted to any sized spike that it may be necessary to draw.

In the accompanying drawing illustrating the nature of this invention, A represents the vertical bar, which slides up and down through slotted brackets projecting from a substantial frame that rests on the ground. Through the slot a the end of a lever fulcrumed to said frame passes, and' serves as a means of elevating and lowering said v vertical bar. The lower part of the bar A is enlarged to a shoulder, b, which terminates near the end, where a recess is left for the head of a spike. It is also bifurcated vertically at c, and at either side is a notch formed for the reception of the projections d, with which the side pieces I) are provided. The latter are also constructed, as clearly represented in Fig. 4, with inwardly-projecting lugs df, which partly overlap the end of the bar A, thereby forming a chamber, E, for the head of the spike, with a suitable opening for the shank. F represents a headed bolt, which binds and clamps l) to the bar A and serves to wi den or narrow the vertical slot cut in the end of the barA, and thereby adjust the chamber E to any sized spike. On one end of this bolt a screw-thread is cut, and a nut placed thereon. Grepresents a tooth or claw, tlattened out and serrated, and having a base corresponding' in shape to that ofthe chamber' E, in which it rests when it is to be used. This claw is employed in raising cross-ties for the purposeof tamping underneath them. serrated end is slightly inserted in or under the cross-tie and the same raised up by means ofthe lever before mentioned. The clamps l) and the lower end of the bar A should properly be constructed of steel, so as to be stronger. Duplicates of these parts should always be at hand, so that if one of those in use should be broken its place may be quickly supplied. They are secured to the sides of bar by means of screws.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, 1s-

l. The clamps D having the lugs d', in combination with the bar A slotted at c, and bolt E, as and for the purpose specilied.

2. The claw G, as described, in combination with the bar A and clamp D.

In testimony that I claim the above I have hereunto subscribed my name in the presence of two witnesses.

Witnesses: VILLIAM S. HOUGH.

J AooB BRALLIER, JOHN L. VHITE.

For this purpose the 

